Compression Stockings for Dysautonomia? They Might Help!

Many doctors advise their dysautonomia patients to try medical compression stockings,  to help minimize common dysautonomia symptoms such as lightheadedness, fainting, low blood pressure, tachycardia, fatigue, and leg pain caused when blood pools in the legs. Compression stockings can also provide more endurance for daily upright activities.  Here are a few tips to help get the right compression  stockings, the right fit, how to use them to get the most benefit, and how to get them at a reduced price or even free with a doctor's prescription:

 

Compression stockings are measured in mmHg and most often, 20-30mmHg or 30-40mmHg waist-high stockings are recommended. Lower levels of compression or stockings don't go all the way to the waist can still help, but usually these don't give you the maximum benefit. Also, patients that wear knee-high and thigh-high stockings and have blood pooling in your thigh area have noticed a swelling above the top of the knee. Same thing with the thigh-highs. Waist high stockings are also recommended to prevent the not-so-cool thigh bulge created by thigh high stockings.

 

You'll also want to get open and closed toe versions of whatever compression stockings you choose. Open toes are good for summer, closed toe for winter, etc. Choose sheer stockings if they're going to be seen and opaque type if they'll be covered because they're more comfortable, less scratchy, etc. Medical compression stockings are fitted using measurements of your ankle circumference, calf circumference and the distance between heel and knee.  Take your measurements first thing in the morning since this will be the measurements with the minimum amount of swelling.

 

Cost usually isn't too bad, either. Compression stockings range from around $20 to $150. Don't forget to call your insurance provider and ask if they cover medical compression stockings with a doctor's prescription. If they do, you may have to use only certain medical supply companies as a source. If they don't require a certain supplier, you can get them online, but make sure you get quality--the cheap compression stockings don't usually last very long, don't fit as well and aren't as comfortable.

 

Chances are, if you've already been to or spoken with Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC in Birmingham, AL., you already know about the benefits of compression stockings. If you haven't, give us a call and set up an appointment. Dr. Susan Phillips and Dr. Paula Moore offer more than 40 years of combined experience with successful dysautonomia and POTS treatment. We offer flexible appointment times and many options to help you get the care you need and get better--faster! 

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243
http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200

Testing for POTS and Dysautonomia is Helpful--But What About Underlying Causes?

Dysautonomia is fairly general medical diagnosis that describes any malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. There are many other diseases and conditions, however, that can lead to a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. So, if you've had a postive POTS test, you may want to ask your doctor about this list of conditions and possibly futher testing to see if the root cause can be pinpointed and thus lead to real relief:

 

Amyloidosis - if harmful amyloid proteins are deposited on the heart or the peripheral nerves, it can cause symptoms of dysautonomia / POTS.

 

Antiphospholipid Syndrome - this condition is less well known to physicians, but APS causes"sludging" or thickening of the blood that may manifest as headache, memory loss, word finding difficulty, trouble with balance, multiple sclerosis-like syndrome, neuropathy and disorders of the autonomic nervous system (most commonly POTS) and neurocardiogenic syncope).

 

Celiac Disease - this is a common autoimmune disease in which the small intestine is the primary tissues that are attacked.  Various neurological disorders have been thought to occur in 6-10% of people with celiac disease.

 

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease - CMT includes a group of disorders where genetic mutations impede normal function of the peripheral nerves (nerves not inside the brain or spinal cord), and often the autonomic nervous system.

 

There are many other conditions that can lead to dysautonomia or POTS symptoms--to read about more of these conditions, see this link.  If you think you have dysautonomia or POTS symptoms, the first, best thing to do is to visit an autonomic disorder treatment center and ask if the doctor can do a dysautonomia test.

 

Again, if that or a POTS test is positive, you may want to investigate other conditions to see if they are the cause. On the brighter side, many times simple lifestyle and dietary changes can greatly improve dysautonomia symptoms. 

 

Dr. Paula Moore and Dr. Susan Phillips at Dysautonomia MVP Center, LLC in Birmingham, AL bring more than 40 years of autonomic disorder expertise and they'll be able to quickly shed some light on your concerns and get you on the road to recovery. Call for an appointment today at (205) 286-3200.

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243
http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200